Gracias Madre, a renowned vegan restaurant located in San Francisco’s Mission District, is saying “adios” to the city after more than one decade of operation.
The decision comes in light of the city’s worsening conditions, which have made it challenging for small businesses to thrive, according to a Fox News report.
“Our mission was always to honor the mothers who give so much to serve, care for and live in hope for their families, especially those of Mexico,” owners wrote in a note posted near the restaurant.
“It has been an honor to work on behalf of their generosity and sacrifice all these years, the note continued. “The condition of life in San Francisco has deteriorated and made running a small business nearly impossible.”
Gracias Madre’s former general manager, Joseph Donohue. told CBS News reporter Betty Yu many patrons found it “a little bit too dangerous” to visit the restaurant during the evening hours.
“So a lot of customers did say that they wouldn’t come at night,” Donohue remarked, noting their primary concerns were scarce parking and fear of thieves breaking into their vehicles while they dined.
In a conversation with SFGate, Donohue attributed the restaurant’s closure to the “economy” and “the state of the Mission.”
“If you go over a block to Valencia it looks like it’s a completely different city,” Donohue said, “they’re paying attention to one area and forgetting about the other areas of the city, which is kind of upsetting.”
Donohue added the establishment never fully recovered from the setbacks caused by the pandemic.
Gracias Madre was known for its organic and vegan offerings, emphasizing “traditional Mexican cuisine, made from scratch using local, organic, plant-based ingredients,” as per their website.
While the restaurant’s note mentioned a 16-year tenure, reports indicate it opened in 2009. The brand’s other California locations in West Hollywood and Newport Beach continue to operate, the report noted.
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